Flight searches from Hong Kong, and other countries, to the UK, and from the UK to EU destinations, soared the day the results of the referendum were announced. These are the key findings from KAYAK.com.hk – the travel search engine – who analysed the data surrounding the UK referendum to see how it might impact travellers as well as the UK as a destination.

Increase in flight searches from Asia Pacific to the UK

On June 24th, the day on which the referendum results were announced, there was a surge in flight searches from Hong Kong to the UK – an increase of 52% when compared to any other Friday in June. Similarly, flight searches from Australia and Singapore to the UK also saw a sharp increase of 68% and 44%, respectively.

Increase in flight searches from EU countries to the UK

On June 24th, EU countries also saw a spike in flight searches to the UK – an overall growth of 42%. Flight searches from France to the UK were among the highest with an increase of 61%. On the day prior to the referendum results, there was a significant increase of 39% in flight search from EU countries to the UK. The Czech Republic (117%) and Belgium (92%) saw the highest upturn.

Growth in flight searches from the UK to the EU countries

On June 24th there was also a massive surge in searches for flights going to EU countries from the UK; an increase of 42% when compared to any other Friday in June. The largest increase in searches was observed when flying from the UK to the Netherlands (69%), Poland (54%), and Finland (52%).

On 23 June – the day before the referendum, there was a general increase of 35% in flight searches from the UK to EU countries. Sweden had the highest increase of flight searches (77%) followed by Portugal (66%), and the Netherlands (57%). Only Hungary saw a drop with a 25% decrease.

The USA: a particular case

Possibly due to the value of the pound to the dollar dropping, searches from the US to the UK were up by 54% when compared to searches on any other Friday in June. There was also an increase in flight searches from the UK to the US of 42%.

Regarding cost, KAYAK.com.hk observed a 31% price increase in fares from the UK to the US on June 24th compared to the previous Friday (June 17th)

Debby Soo, Vice President APAC at KAYAK comments. “Here at KAYAK.com.hk we wanted to investigate the initial impact the results of the EU referendum had on searches to and from the UK – and also to investigate any significant differences in prices before and after the vote. The results seem to show a substantial increase in interest for flights both to and from the UK. The global impact is also seen by a sharp increase in searches to the UK from the US – perhaps as a response to the pound falling against the US and Hong Kong dollar, and travellers wanting to see if a holiday to the UK would represent better value for money.”